IN the last two months since Air Margueritaville opened its doors at the Sangster International Airport, it has been “holding its own”, said co-owner Brian Jardim. However, the real test of its ability to attract and keep patrons, will come during the height of the summer months, when heavier traffic is expected to trek in and out of the airport.

But Jardim said he expected the $27.6m outfit to continue the successful trend in the months ahead. He is apparently banking on the fact that the 3,500 square foot Air Margueritaville is not only ideally located, but that in eight short weeks, patrons seemed sold on the offerings from the two bars, the logo merchandise store, the Internet kiosk, along with 14 big screen and projector televisions.

“It’s a last flavour of Jamaica before (visitors) go,” Jardim commented. “We’ve been open just two months, and it’s been rave reviews. We’ve got very good feedback from our comment cards. We have had very high accolades so far,” he told the Observer.

Air Margueritaville, which is located opposite Gate 4 at the centre of the Air Jamaica hub, can seat up to 200 people and accommodate an additional 100 standing. It currently attracts about 400 to 500 commuters per day, impressive figures for the slow period. And while Jardim admitted that things were usually slow at this time of the year, he said that fact had worked in their favour since it had offered them the opportunity to get rid of the “bugs” in their operations.

“Come July and August when things get cranking,” he continued, “we hope to be well-positioned in the delivery of the product to be able to handle the increased volume. But so far so good, it’s been a wonderful start for us.”

Air Margueritaville is the result of a joint venture involving the popular entertainment nightspot, that already has locations in Montego Bay and Negril, and renowned American entertainer, Jimmy Buffett, who owns a chain of Margueritavilles in the United States. The third component of the venture is airline food supplier, Versair.

“It’s (Air Margueritaville’s) a great investment. The hub needed it, the airport needed it and it’s great exposure for us. It gives people that lasting Margueritaville memory,” Jardim said.

Air Margueritaville is symbolic of the continued efforts of Jardim and his partner, Ian Dear, to expand the Margueritaville experience across the island and into the rest of the Caribbean. Margueritaville Ocho Rios is currently being constructed at the multi-million-dollar Chris Blackwell Island Village in that resort town.

“When Ocho Rios comes along, we will basically have one in every major resort town and the airport, which gives us a diversity and gets people thinking about our product in each resort area,” Jardim said.

The newest location is scheduled to open in December, in time for the winter tourist season, along with the other businesses that will be housed in the Blackwell complex. It will target cruise ship passengers during the days and stopover visitors and locals at nights.

On completion, Margueritaville Ocho Rios will occupy some 16,000 square feet, making it the largest Margueritaville in the island to date. Margueritaville Montego Bay is 10,000 square feet, while the facility in Negril is 4,000 square feet.

Meanwhile, Jardim said the expansion process was ongoing. He added that he and his partner hoped to construct one outfit a year throughout the Caribbean, either at airports or at a beach location.

“We have a master plan, my partner and I. We want to expand in the Caribbean, we are looking at opportunities and once Ocho Rios is behind us, hopefully we’ll be able to do one a year, whether it is an airport or a beach location.” He added that St Lucia was “very high” on their agenda.